The following are the Holy Father Francis’ words of introduction to the recitation of the Our Father today, at midday, in the Vatican Apostolic Library:

Introduction of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

today we have gathered together, all the Christians of the world, to pray together the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus taught us.

As trustful children we turn to the Father. We do it every day, several times a day;

but right now we wish to beg mercy for mankind, so sorely tried by the coronavirus pandemic. And we do this together, Christians of every Church and Community, of every age, language and nation.

We pray for the sick and their families; for health workers and those who help them; for the authorities, law enforcement agencies and volunteers; for the ministers of our communities.

Today many of us celebrate the Incarnation of the Word in the womb of the Virgin Mary, when her humble and total “Behold” reflected the “Behold” of the Son of God. We too entrust ourselves, with full confidence, to the hands of God, and with one heart and one soul we pray:

“Pater Noster…”